Causes of Epididymitis
Mens Health > Causes of Epididymitis
Epididymitis is an infection, which occur in epididymis. Epididymis is a 20 feet long coiled tube, which are placed at the back of the testicles for collecting, storing and maturing of sperm. It also absorbs fluid and other substances for nourishing the maturing sperm. The most common cause of scrotal pain is epididymitis. Epididymitis is a secondary infection. It is generally the outcome of other primary infections. Sometimes urinary tract infections are the cause. It can also occur by sexually transmitted diseases. These infections cause the development of bacteria in the urethra. Subsequently bacteria in urethera reach the epididymis and cause epididymitis.
The usual symptoms of epididymitis are- light fever, chills, a feeling of numbness in the infected testicle, which is enlarged and sensitive to touch or pressure, abdominal and pelvic pain, frequent urge to urinate with a burning sensation on urination, blood in the urine, discharge from penis and painful ejaculation. The usual diagnosis methods of epididymitis are: physical examination, medical history, urine tests, STI tests, blood tests and ultrasound scan (if necessary).
The treatment for epididymitis should start immediately after the diagnosis. Otherwise, serious complications may occur. Some of the complications are- chronic epididymitis (inflammation without any bacterial infection), abscess (a ball of pus accumulate inside the epididymis), permanent damage of epididymis and testicles, infertility, and spread of infection to other organs of the body.
There are a number of treatments available, which include a course of antibiotics for self and sex partner (if any), bed rest, pain-killers, application of cold compresses to the scrotum and elevation of the scrotum.
Sometimes after a severe bout of epididymitis, chronic epididymitis occurs. An ultrasound scan is necessary to establish the occurrence of chronic epididymitis. The treatment options of chronic epididymitis are- frequent warm baths, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle-relaxing medicines, steroid injections into the scrotum, stress management techniques etc. However, in severe cases doctors advise removal of the affected epididymis surgically.